Spring is Heating up - Watch Your Pets

Spring is here, being in Dallas and other dog walking areas, it can still reach high temperatures during the day. Whether you have an outside dog or an inside dog you take for walks, you need to be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion. Just like humans, our furry friends can suffer heat stroke and even death if the proper precautions are not taken.

The signs of heat exhaustion/stroke are:

o Heavy panting and gasping for air.
o A “drunken” stagger when they walk.
o Excessive foaming and/or drooling.
o Weakness and vomiting.
o Dark red gums.
o Decrease in urine production.

Action to take:

o Move the dog to a cool area and offer only small amounts of water (too much water will cause the dog to vomit).
o Wipe the dog with cool water, not cold water, and place wet clothes on feet as this is one of the places where a dog can get rid of the heat
o Call your vet immediately (especially if your dog losses consciousness) if temperature is over 103F as brain damage and death can occur at 109F.

Precautions to take in the heat:

o Leave your dog plenty of water and give them open access to it so it can as needed.
o Let your dog sit in front of a cool fan and wipe it down with a cool cloth after long walks.
o Give your dog shade to sit under outdoors and let them in if they start to show ANY signs of overheating.
o Freeze water bottles and wrap them in a tube sock so your dogs can lay on them while outside. (also works well for rabbits)

By Staff Writer Trish Harding
Fetch Pet Care of NE Dallas
nedallas@fetchpetcare.com
http://dallas-plano-richardson.fetchpetcare.com

Spring and Summer Break for Pets

You’re on vacation, but what about your dogs and cats? Remember to line your pet sitters and dog walkers up now while there is still room and you are able to the sitters you want and need and not just kennel your dog at the local dog run.  In the Dallas area, there are many great pet sitting companies out there.

Dogs and cats do much better when they are taken care of in their home as opposed to going to kennels. To make sure you get the best out of your pet sitting experience, you need to understand that pet sitters do so much more than water and feed your dogs.

Pet sitters spend time with your baby, gives them exercise, and can evaluate if there are any medical issues which may arise. Many will bring in mail, papers, water the plans, provide crime deterrents with making it appear as someone is home.

So for your spring and summer vacation time, choose a pet sitter and give your fur babies a break as well.

AntiFreeze Poisoning in Dogs

Antifreeze poisoning in dogs

Pet sitters, dog walkers, and pet owners, need to be aware of what can happen and the symptoms of antifreeze poisoning. Especially in areas like Dallas, where snow and dogs are not so common and people splash antifreeze around their car while getting it into the necessary receptacles. It takes only a teaspoon to kill a small dog.

When dog walking, please be aware of your surroundings and take immediate action if your dog begins drinking something in a driveway or roadway.

In 2007, my oldest daughter gave me her American Staffordshire Terrier, Charlie, to watch when she joined the Navy. He was six months old and just a doll. Unfortunately for us, someone did not like his breed and poisoned him with antifreeze. It was two days before he showed symptoms.
Symptoms of antifreeze poisoning
- walking drunkenly – it is alcohol
- vomit and drinking excessively
- excessive urination
- diarrhea
- mouth ulcers
- hair loss
- rapid heart beat
- depression
- weakness
- seizures
- coma

The quicker you act, the safer your pet will be. Once the urine begins to crystallize, it may be too late. If you do see it, give a simple hydrogen peroxide mixture to induce vomiting. Contact your vet first as he may want to do it, but if you know it will take a while to get to the vets, call them for step-by-step instructions.

Once at the vets, if the dog has not already vomited, your vet will begin that. They will also administer an antidote to the poison at the office such as activated charcoal or 4-methylpyrazole, which is very effective if administered early. Most deaths from antifreeze poisoning come from renal (kidney) failure. After ingesting antifreeze, your pet may seem better and then suddenly gets worse because it has gone from ingestion into the kidneys and livers.

We were lucky. Even though Charlie had crystals in his urine, he was at an emergency clinic where they started him on fluids until we could get him to the vets the next day. We then began a week-long outpatient fluid treatment to flush it out of his system. Against all odds, he did it.

If you do use antifreeze, please consider going over to propylene glycol instead of ethylene. It is still poisonous but will not have the kidney effects. Clean up your driveway messes, keep the antifreeze locked up and in a tight container, and most of all, keep aware of your pets.

Libby Mitchell
Fetch Pet Care of NE Dallas
http://www.fetchpetcare.com
214-969-3639

Holiday Tips from a Dallas Pet Sitter

Holiday Tips From Dallas Pet Sitter

Everyone is home for the holidays, the pets are barking and meowing; kids are crying, aunts are pinching your cheek; but, the food is good and the company is fresh.

As much as you may or may not enjoy Thanksgiving with your family, understand your pet is seeing this in a different way - FREE FOOD. Designate someone to keep an eye on the food and away from the family pets.

Many foods are toxic to animals. Cats have a problem with onion and garlic which can make them anemic. Also green tomatoes and raw green potatoes can cause explosive diarrehea. Milk can also cause stomach problems and gas while turkey bones can splinter.

However, cooked turkey meat, uncanned pumpkins, squash, cats can eat.

Dogs keep away from onions, chocolate, and bones. Onions can give gas, chocolate is toxic, and bones - well, you didn't want to head to the vets on a holiday!

If you do need a vet, check the emergency clinic or your vet's hotline to see who is minding the house while they enjoy holidays.

Prepare and watch out and all should be good for your dogs and cats. If you need to travel, find a reliable pet sitter, dog walker, and bird feeder to watch after your loved ones. It is worth it for your piece of mind.

Libby Mitchell is the owner of Fetch Pet Care of NE Dallas. Fetch Pet Care offers a variety of pet services in your area. Call us today at 214-989-3639.

Should You Hire A Petsitter for the Holidays

Pet Sitters are a much needed necessity if you have are leaving your dog or cat for the holidays. Pet sitters are an alternative to boarding and kenneling which allows home dog sitting, where the dogs stay in a comfortable environment, or the neighborhood kid down the street you don't know very well. Though more and more vacation lodging includes both dog and cat hotels, it is less stressful on both the dog and their human if they can stay home instead of traveling around the world.

In Dallas, dog walking can be a part of the pet care services which can be chosen as part of your vacation package with a professional pet sitter. Regardless of whether you use a franchise service like Fetch! Pet Care which is located nationwide or an independent contractor, please make sure they have insurance and well as bonding all their staff.

Pet Sitters are not all created equal. Many are members of NAPPS (National Association of Professional Pet Sitters) or Pet Sitters International. Some are associated with both vet and other pet services.

Home dog and cat sitting allows the animals to enjoy the holidays with someone who loves pets, takes care of your home, as well as takes the dog walking or plays with the cats on a daily basis. Many pet sitting services will also take care of reptiles, birds, rodents, and even the occasional tarantula.

Don't leave your pet with a neighbor who may be too busy to check on them daily. Hire a professional pet sitter who is there for you 24/7 regardless of whether your flight makes it back on time or your car gets a flat. And once the holidays are over and you and your pets have developed a report with your pet sitter, consider hiring them for dog walking or pet visits to keep your pet company while you work those long hours until your next vacation.

Libby Mitchell is the owner of Fetch! Pet Care of NE Dallas. Fetch! Pet Care provides many pet care services in around the nation.

Welcoming A New Puppy Into Your Home – Are You Really Ready?

Are you really ready to bring a little furry friend home? I mean, are you really ready? Sure it sounds all wonderful in theory, but before you run out and take home the first puppy who melts your heart, there are some things you'll need to consider carefully. Let's take a look.

Do You Have Time?

 
Puppies need your time and lots of it. If you're constantly rushing to get everything done, you may want to seriously reconsider the idea of taking home a puppy. A puppy is a new creature to this world. They need your time and attention to learn how to properly live in it. Your new puppy is going to need your help learning how to potty train, how to behave properly around other pets and people, as well as lots of your attention for playtime. Do you have that time to give a deserving puppy?

Is Your Family in Agreement?

This new family member is going to affect everyone in the family. That is why it's a good idea to make sure everyone in the family agrees to accepting this new family member. This ensures the puppy comes into a completely welcoming home and that you don't create any unwanted issues and tension between family members and the puppy, too.

Are You Ready For The Work?

Puppies take a lot of work. Are you ready for that? Are you prepared to have mop and paper towels in hand constantly?  Are you ready to get up in the middle of the night to tend to your puppy's needs, to play even when you don't feel like it, to make vet trips, and to make trips to the store to buy pet food? Are you ready to handle emergency situations with your puppy? Are you ready to spend the hours and hours it takes to physically care for your puppy; training, bathing, brushing, feeding, and other care?

Can You Afford a Puppy?

Puppies cost money. Even if you can get a puppy absolutely free, your puppy is not going to be free for long. Or, maybe you're buying a purebred pup from a breeder or adopting from a shelter. Either way, the expenses don't end when you take the puppy home, they just begin. You'll need money for food, bowls, toys, treats, bedding, crates, leashes, collars, grooming, shots, neutering or spaying, licenses, training or obedience classes, routine medical bills, unexpected vet bills, and more. Be prepared for this and honestly decide if you really can afford your furry friend.

Do You Have Support?

We've mentioned that it's hard work taking care of a puppy. Will you have any support to help you when you need a break? Think about this before you take puppy home and you'll save yourself a ton of stress. Support can come in many different forms; from hiring a pet sitter or dog walker, a neighbor who's willing to dog-sit when you go out of town, the friend who can offer puppy potty training advice and help.

If you've honestly answered these questions, then you'll be in a very good place to make a realistic decision about whether you can adopt a puppy or not.

If the answers show you're not quite ready for a puppy, then waiting until the time is right is the proper thing to do. You and your potential puppy will be much better off. If the answers show you are ready, congratulations! It's an exciting time as you venture into a whole new world of pet parenting!

Heat and Your Pets

Summer temperatures might be great for tan lines and boating trips, but the excessive heat and increased outdoor activities could spell disaster for your pets. As the mercury rises, take just a few moments to insure that your pets are safe and prevent an urgent trip to the animal ER with a summertime emergency! Our trained, professional Fetch! staff will do everything possible to make certain that your pet is properly cared for. We do ask that you allow us the judgment call when it comes to their comfort and safety. There may be times when our staff will shorten actual outdoor walks and continue with safe indoor play and loving attention.

The most common heat related problem for pets is heat stroke. Also known as heat stress or hyperpyrexia, heat stroke is a real emergency for dogs. Even on moderately warm days, an excited dog might show a body temperature increase of 2-5 degrees. Since dogs don’t sweat like we do, they are unable to dissipate the excess heat and heat stroke may soon follow.

Any outdoor pet can overheat on a warm summer day, but short faced breeds, such as Pugs, Bostons and Bulldogs, are at a higher risk. In addition, every year thousands of pets succumb to heat stroke because they were left in cars while their owners ran “just a few” errands.

Many cities and states have now made it a crime to leave your pet unattended in a vehicle. These are important laws as even on a 70 degree day, temperatures inside a car can soar to over 110 degrees in less than one hour!

Some owners try to help their pets by shaving the dog’s long coat. Although this seems like a good idea, a well groomed and clean hair coat can actually insulate the dog from the heat and help keep them cooler.

Veterinarians will recommend shaving specific areas in long haired breeds. For example, shaving around the anus and groin can help keep the area clean and free from infections.

In some cases, shaving the hair coat could expose a lightly pigmented dog to potential sunburn. For short haired lightly colored breeds, Canine solar dermatitis is another problem. Boxers, Pit Bulls and Dalmatians are just a few examples of dogs that are at risk. In these cases, chronic exposure to hot sunny days damages the skin and causes tender, red scaly lesions. Eventually, the skin becomes thickened and scarred.

When the sun goes down and the temperatures start to cool, your pets still face many summer challenges. The patriotic holidays during the summer months are often preceded by and celebrated with fireworks. The bright flashes and loud bangs, also associated with thunderstorms, are terrifying to some pets and can cause anxiety, stress and even escape. Normally calm pets may become distressed, destructive and even bite in an attempt to get away from the noises. While running, they are at risk for being hit by a car, becoming lost or encountering another animal who might be aggressive.

The warm summer season also brings out many pests that will actively seek out your pets. Fleas and ticks are two examples, but some species of biting flies are very fond of dogs’ ears. Repeated bites can cause a condition that can be serious and difficult to control known as “fly strike.”

It is possible to enjoy the summer with your pets by taking just a few precautions. First and foremost, always be aware of the weather forecast. Knowing the high temperature can help guide your plans for the day.

Never leave your pet unattended outside or plan heavy exercise on hot, humid days. If your pet is left outdoors, he must have access to adequate shade and fresh water.

If you find your pet disoriented, panting excessively or collapsed in the yard, move him immediately to a cooler environment. Use cool wet towels over his back, armpits and groin to help bring his temperature down. Fans are often helpful too. DO NOT USE ICE! Then, get him to your veterinarian immediately so that they can assess his status and begin life saving treatments.

If you are planning a vacation or to take your pets to any outdoor parties or cook-outs, find out first if pets are welcome or if fireworks are planned. It might be easier to simply leave the dogs at home rather than risk a run-away or injury. Fetch! will be more than happy to schedule multiple in-home visits, “paw-jama pawties” or in-home boarding!

Summertime should be a time for relaxation and fun…don’t let a pet emergency spoil your good time.

The information offered here is for general discussion and educational purposes only. It has been compiled from various sources and from many years of pet experience. You are urged to discuss all aspects of your pet's health care with your primary care veterinarian. As always, Fetch! will always be available for you and your pet with the finest, customized, personalized pet care service...‘we’ve got your tail covered!!

By Guest Writer Edward Zavala - Fetch Pet Care